Osaka Kansai International Airport is located 50km (31 miles) southwest of Osaka.

Airport code

KIX

Airport news

The new Terminal 2 was opened in October 2012 and provides a base for Japanese low-cost carrier Peach Air. Renovations to Terminal 1 are scheduled for completion in 2015. A third terminal is also in the pipeline.

Transfer between terminals

The terminals are within walking distance of each other.

Driving directions

Road access to the artificial island on which Osaka Kansai International Airport is built is via a dedicated access bridge (with a toll gate on entry). This connects to the Bayshore Route on the Hanshin Expressway, which leads northwards to Osaka.

Car rental

Car hire companies at Osaka Kansai International Airport include: Japaren, Mazda, Nippon, Nissan, Orix and Toyota. Car hire desks can be found on the first floor in the north area.

Public transport and taxis

Bus: Buses are available to all major hotels in surrounding destinations. Local buses operated by Kansai Airport Transportation Enterprise (tel: (072) 461 1374; www.kate.co.jp) depart from International Arrivals at both terminals. Tickets can be purchased from vending machines outside the terminals, and cost about ¥500.Shuttle: Shuttle services are available from MK Skygateshuttle (tel: (075) 778 5489; www.mk-group.co.jp) and Yasaka Kanku Shuttles (tel: (075) 803 4800; www.yasaka.jp), which provide transfers from/to Kyoto.Taxi: Taxis are readily available outside the terminals, serving central Osaka (journey time: 50-60 minutes; fare: ¥16,000-20,000) and other destinations.Rail: The rail network to Osaka Kansai International Airport is served by West Japan Railway Company (tel: (057) 000 2486; www.westjr.co.jp). The limited express Haruka line runs to Kyoto (journey time: 1 hour 15 minutes) and other destinations, while the Kansai rapid service runs to Osaka (journey time: 30 minutes, fare ¥1,500) and other destinations.

Ferry: There is a sea ferry route to Kobe and Kobe Airport (tel: (078) 304 0033; www.kobe-access.co.jp). The journey time is 30 minutes, and the fare is ¥1,850. A shuttle bus runs between the terminal building and the ferry terminal.

Car parking

The two multi-storey car parks at Terminal 1 provide direct access to the passenger terminal; there are also two open-air car parks here. An additional car park is directly opposite Terminal 2. Short- and long-term rates are available in the car parks.

Information and help desks

There are numerous information counters in Terminal 1; these can be found on the first, second and fourth floors – the main information centre (tel: (072) 455 2500) is located on the northern side of the second floor. Terminal 2 has an information desk in the main concourse.The Kansai Tourist Information Centre is located on the first floor of Terminal 1 (tel: (072) 456 6025).

Airport Facilities

Money: Various ATMs and several bureaux de change are available in both terminals. A full-service bank can be found on the second floor of Terminal 1.Communications: There is a post office on the second floor of Terminal 1. Wireless internet is available for free, and there are multiple @Stations for 24-hour internet access. Mobile phone hire is available from a number of locations within Terminal 1.Food: There are many cafés, bars and restaurants at Osaka Kansai International Airport, serving both Japanese and Western fare. The majority of these options are in Terminal 1, but Terminal 2 has a small selection of restaurants and cafés.Shopping: There are newsagents and a wide variety of shops at Osaka Kansai International Airport, including duty free outlets, designer boutiques, electronics retailers and gift shops.Luggage: A porter service (tel: (072) 455 3450) operates within Terminal 1. Left-luggage and luggage delivery facilities are also available in Terminal 1. There are lockers in both terminals. Call the general airport information line (tel: (072) 455 2500) for general enquiries regarding lost items.Other facilities: A medical clinic (tel: (072) 456 7185) can deal with minor emergencies and ailments – the airport also has numerous AEDs (defibrillators). A dentist (tel: (072) 456 8601) is located on the third floor of the Aeroplaza, a few minutes from the terminal building. Additional facilities include a prayer room, nurseries, children’s rooms, showers and changing rooms.

Conference and business facilities

There is a business centre (tel: (072) 456 7151) on the fourth floor of Terminal 1 providing telephone, fax and internet facilities, as well as a meeting room, PC rental and secretarial services.The on-site Hotel Nikko Kansai Airport (tel: (072) 455 1111; www.nikkokix.com) has a fully equipped business centre and conference facilities for up to 500 delegates.

Disabled facilities

Osaka Kansai International Airport has disabled toilets, lifts between floors and 60 dedicated car parking spaces in the multi-storey car parks.Passengers requiring wheelchairs and special assistance should inform their airline prior to travel.For visually impaired travellers, there are Braille blocks between the train platforms, bus stops and the central information counters on each floor.

Airport hotels

There is only one hotel at Osaka Kansai International Airport, which is connected directly to Terminal 1. There are various other hotels located nearby. A reservation counter can be found in the arrivals area of Terminal 1.

Bellevue Garden HotelBellevue Garden Hotel is located close to Osaka Kansai International Airport, just across the bridge on the mainland. The hotel provides high-speed internet and on-site dining facilities.Izumisano City, 3-3-34 IchibanishiOsaka, JapanTel: (072) 469 1112.Web: www.bellevue-kix.com

Star Gate Tower HotelOne of the more economical options near the airport, Star Gate Tower Hotel has a range of accommodation options as well as banqueting and conference facilities. The hotel offers no less than six restaurants with varying cuisines.Izumisano City, 1 Rinkuorai-kitaOsaka, JapanTel: (072) 460 1111.Web: www.s-gth.jp

Kansai Airport Washington HotelJust across the water from the airport, this 3-star hotel offers rooms with views across the bay, and operates a regular shuttle service. The restaurant serves a mix of Japanese and international food, and meeting rooms are available.Izumisano-shi, 1-7 Rinku Orai-kitaOsaka, JapanTel: (072) 461 2222Web: Kansai-ap.washington-hotels.jp